Senate Democrats’ Legal – And Moral – Abdication of Leadership

800 Days Without A Budget; 29 Straight Months with Unemployment Above 8%

July 8, 2011

Today marks the 800th day that Senate Democrats last thought the federal government needed a budget. Senate Budget Committee Republicans put together a helpful timeline that documents this reckless budget failure. As House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Sessions made clear earlier today:

“The United States Congress has a moral — and legal — obligation to propose and pass budgets that tackle our generation’s greatest challenge. Allowing 800 days to pass since Senate Democrats even bothered to produce a budget is an egregious and inexcusable lack of leadership. America’s job creators want certainty and confidence in the economy — which requires a credible plan to cut spending, prevent future tax hikes, and reassure our creditors that we’re restoring fiscal discipline.”

While President Obama and Senate Democrats have chosen to abdicate their responsibilities, the U.S. House of Representatives tackled our generation’s greatest challenge head-on, adhering to its legal requirements to propose and pass a budget:

April 5 – After months working with his colleagues in Congress, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan formally introduces The Path to Prosperity – the FY2012 budget resolution (op-ed, video, reception). The Path to Prosperity cuts government spending, lifts the crushing burden debt, strengthens the social safety net, fulfills the mission of health and retirement security, and helps spur job creation with pro-growth reforms. New York Times columnist David Brooks hails the plan as “the most comprehensive and most courageous budget reform proposal any of us have seen in our lifetimes.”

April 6 – The House Budget Committee advances the proposed FY2012 budget resolution. At the public committee markup, C-SPAN cameras were rolling, the public was included, and all members of the committee were provided the opportunity to offer amendments, which were debated and voted upon by the full committee.

April 15 – On the day the law requires passage of a budget, the U.S. House of Representatives passes its FY2012 budget resolution (H.Con. Res. 34). Again – several hours were provided for an open debate on the House floor. Members of both parties were provided the opportunity to offer alternatives, which were debated and voted upon by the House.

Actions speak louder than words:

The Democrat-controlled Congress last year failedtofinish (orstart) anyof their most basic, legally required, budget responsibilities.

Senate Democrats have failed to pass a budget for 800 days and counting.

The House has met its legal and moral obligation to propose and pass a budget that tackles our generation’s greatest challenges. Chairman Ryan and his colleagues continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with those they serve and those eager to advance solutions.